A collaborative divorce is a process
where the parties to the divorce work as a team with their attorneys and
various professionals, such as a tax consultant, a child psychologist, a mental
health professional, and others, to resolve their issues without court
intervention. It is particularly beneficial to couples with children and helps
them make parenting plans agreed to by both parents. One … [Read more...]

No matter how upsetting it may be to
have your spouse tell you he or she wants a divorce, the best advice is for you
to remain as calm as possible. Anything you say may haunt you later if your
divorce becomes contentious and your spouse tries to use it against you. The
first few days after you hear the news, consider doing the following. Keep your emotions in check. See a counselor, trusted … [Read more...]

Some couples think
they can do their own divorce without lawyers. This is called a pro se divorce,
which means the party represents themselves. Often, they later discover they
have made a costly mistake, particularly if there are children involved, there
are un-divided assets or they had retirement benefits. For those people with
uncomplicated property or no children, pro se divorce can work, but … [Read more...]

Talking to your spouse about divorce can be difficult. This is true even when both of you have been struggling with your marriage and may have concerns over whether or not it will last. When the time comes to actually tell your spouse that you want a divorce, how you handle it depends on quite a few factors. We want to help if we can. Here are some helpful suggestions we have learned in our 25 … [Read more...]

Most people think of an apology as a way of working out problems prior to divorce. Is it really necessary or effective to apologize in the middle of a divorce? The answer could depend on whether it’s wise to admit fault, the reason for the apology, and the type of process in which your divorce is being handled. Look at the circumstances of your divorce and decide if and when an apology is … [Read more...]

Being able to manage anger during a divorce could make a world of difference in how the parties handle their divorce. Divorce is almost always an emotional process. A divorce means changing to a new way of living--maybe even getting a new address. Separating from your spouse also possibly means less frequent involvement with your children. The anger during a divorce can stem from many factors: … [Read more...]

The short answer is yes. In the state of Texas, marijuana is still an illegal drug. That means the law handles it the same as any other illegal substance. Pot being illegal isn't the only reason using it will impact your divorce.
As more states join the movement of legalizing marijuana, it may leave you wondering if smoking pot will have an impact on your divorce. If you’re headed for divorce or … [Read more...]

Nearly half of all American couples give up on their marriage. According to the American Psychological Association, 90 percent of people marry by age 50. Out of those marriages, 40 to 50 percent end in divorce.* One question is when is it too late to salvage a marriage if one or both of the spouses wanted to do so? Attorney Paula Lock Smyth has advised clients on what steps to take to make that … [Read more...]

Do Mother's Rights Differ from Father's in Child Custody Cases?
Most people assume mother’s rights hold more weight in child custody cases. This is partly true because the courts did favor mothers in the past. There’s also an assumption that mothers are better parents because of their role as nurturer. The reality is that the law has evolved to allow parents equal rights in custody cases; … [Read more...]

Going through a divorce can be an emotional time. Although it may be something you didn’t plan, you do want closure if the marriage has ended. It’s not easy to move forward while you’re still going through the process, but it helps to know when the divorce will be final. Hopefully, I can help you understand how long it takes to get a divorce and what goes on in the process.
How long does a … [Read more...]

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